On Thursday the US District Court for Central California approved the request of California AG Xavier Becerra for the state of California to join Stockman v. Trump as a plaintiff.
The initial plaintiffs in the case are four active-duty transgender service members, three transgender people seeking to enlist in the military and Equality California, an advocacy group. The legal groups National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) serve as co-counsels.
In October, a federal judge blocked Trump from banning transgender people from serving in the military. The ruling forced the military to revert back to its previous policy on trans service members — one that protects them from being discharged on the basis of gender identity.
Our state is home to more than 130,000 active duty military personnel, in addition to more than 56,000 members of the National Guard and Reserves. We are ready to get to work to defend the rights of transgender service members and those who seek to enlist in our armed forces.
In California, we stand together against discrimination and inequality. We look forward to joining as a co-plaintiff in this critically important lawsuit to defend the rights of Californians against President Trump’s prejudicial and discriminatory agenda.
--Becerra
Back in October, Becerra was one of 15 attorneys general to sign a brief in support of an earlier lawsuit filed by NCLR and GLAD on behalf of eight transgender service members.
California's participation in the lawsuit is another step forward in beating back Trump’s reckless ban.
It is incredibly significant to have the state of California — the most populous state in the nation —with us in this fight for service members, for those who wish to enlist, and for the stability and strength of the military
--Jennifer Levi, GLAD
We must stop Trump’s transgender military ban once and for all — too much is at stake for California, and for the nation. Today’s action by the court makes us even more confident that it will rule decisively against the administration and their reckless policy.
--Rick Zbur, Equality California